THIS IS U OF T LAW JD Admissions Guide 2021-2022
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THIS IS U OF T LAW JD Admissions Guide 2021-2022
WELCOME TO OUR REMARKABLE HOME We acknowledge this land on which the University of Toronto operates. For thousands of years it has been the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit River. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island, and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land. PROFESSOR MARTHA SHAFFER (CRIMINAL LAW, FAMILY LAW, EQUALITY IN LAW) FOUR-TIME RECIPIENT OF STUDENT CHOICE MEWETT TEACHING AWARD
4 WELCOME FROM THE DEAN I 6 WHY U OF T? I 8 FACULTY I 10 CAREER DEVELOPMENT I 18 ADMISSIONS I 20 CLASS PROFILE
22 STUDENT LIFE I 24 ACADEMIC PROGRAMS I 32 FINANCIAL AID I 34 ACCESS TO LEGAL EDUCATION
CONNECT WITH A DIVERSE AND SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO FACULTY OF LAW
WELCOME TO THE
FACULTY OF LAW
At the University of Toronto, we offer one of the world’s outstanding legal
educations. To be a student at our law school is to join a wonderful community
of the finest legal scholars and students, working together in the pursuit of
academic and professional excellence. You will learn from our esteemed
faculty, who frequently win major research awards, and are significant
thought leaders in academia, the legal profession and public policy. Studying
at U of T Law will give you access to some of North America’s most estab-
lished co-curricular opportunities that will acquaint you with the best of the
legal profession both locally and internationally. You might work on criminal
appeals pending before the Ontario Court of Appeal or Supreme Court of
Canada, volunteer for the UN while on an international human rights intern-
ship, or help give legal advice to tech start-ups at law firms and incubators
across the city.
Our commitment to accessibility, diversity and the public interest means
that as a student, you will experience a community with a wide range of
knowledge, experiences and perspectives. A legal education at U of T not
only teaches legal doctrine, but equips our students with analytical tools that
can be brought to bear on a range of real-world problems. Our graduates go
on to leadership positions in public interest organizations, politics, business,
and on the bench and bar with an education that serves them well in making
a transformative impact on our community.
I am excited about the future of our law school. Our new Jackman Law
Building, which opened in 2016, includes innovative technology and
houses many of the programs and centres that make this faculty truly
unique. Expanded classrooms and social spaces create dynamic engagement
opportunities for students, professors and the community.
I hope that you’ll take up our invitation to visit with us as you carefully
consider the many options available to you.
EDWARD IACOBUCCI
DEAN, FACULTY OF LAW
JAMES M. TORY PROFESSOR OF LAW
JD ADMISSIONS GUIDE 5
BECOME PART OF A
COMMUNITY WITH
AN INTERNATIONAL
REPUTATION
FOR EXCELLENCE
In 2020, the respected Times Higher Education law
WHY U
school rankings placed us in the top 10 globally, ahead
of all other Canadian law schools.
UofT Digital Media Bank - My Collection - 27 July 18 @ 00:24 5 of 7
1657 403
BELONG TO A GREAT UNIVERSITY
Reap the benefits of academic, cultural, social,
athletic and recreational opportunities at one of the
world’s foremost research-intensive universities.
Immerse yourself in a rigorous learning environ-
ment that fostered 14 Supreme Court justices, four
Canadian Prime Ministers, and five Nobel Prize
laureates. U of T continues to make the world a
better place through leadership, inquiry, discovery
and innovation.
INTERDISCIPLINARY ADVANTAGE
Take advantage of countless opportunities to engage
with U of T’s other top-ranked graduate faculties and
schools such as its Rotman School of Management,
Faculty of Medicine, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of
Social Work, Munk School of Global Affairs and Public
Policy, etc. Explore the interdisciplinary dimensions
of the law through workshops and conferences featur-
ing top academics and experts from around the world.
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO FACULTY OF LAW
LOCATION,
LOCATION,
LOCATION
At U of T Law, you are minutes
away from the provincial legislature,
Ministry of the Attorney General law
offices, several court houses including
the Ontario Court of Appeal, dozens
of legal aid offices, and over 3,000
law firms, including Canada’s largest
national and international firms.
U OF T?
LIVE IN A GREAT CITY
Revel in the myriad of sights, sounds, and tastes to discover
in one of the world's most multicultural cities. Here, you can
attend many festivals, check out the vibrant arts, culture,
entertainment and professional sports scenes and discover
your inner foodie. With a population smaller than New York
City but larger than Chicago, Toronto has it all.
The Faculty of Law is steps away from Museum Station
where you can hop on the subway to get around this great
city in just minutes. Toronto is known for its 140 distinctive
neighbourhoods. Our students' local favourites – Yorkville, Toronto’s amazing festivals
Kensington Market and Queen West – are all within easy include OVO and Unity
walking distance of the campus.
(hip-hop); VELD and Dreams
(EDM), Fringe and Summer-
Works (theatre, art and
dance); TIFF (film); Maker
and Vector (technology and
new media); Fan Expo and
Comicon (comics, sci-fi,
horror, anime and gaming).
JD ADMISSIONS GUIDE 7
FACULTY
DOUGLAS SANDERSON
BA (SIMON FRASER),
JD (TORONTO), LLM (COLUMBIA)
ACADEMIC INTERESTS: Aboriginal Law,
Canadian Constitutional Law, Legal
Theory, Political Philosophy and Theory,
Property Law
FAVOURITE NEIGHBOURHOOD: Davisville
HIDDEN TALENT: Charcuterie
CHRISTOPHER ESSERT ANVER EMON
BA (McGILL), JD (TORONTO), LLM, JSD (YALE) BA (BERKELEY), JD (UCLA), MA (TEXAS),
LLM (YALE), PHD (UCLA), JSD (YALE)
ACADEMIC INTERESTS: Equality and
Anti-Discrimination Law, Property Law, ACADEMIC INTERESTS: Critical Legal
Intellectual Property Law, Legal Theory, Theory, International Human Rights Law,
Political Philosophy and Theory Islamic Law, Law and Religion, Legal
History, Legal Theory, Tort Law and
FAVOURITE NEIGHBOURHOOD: Parkdale Tort Theory
PERSONAL PASSION: Pizza FAVOURITE NEIGHBOURHOOD:
Danforth or Little India
HIDDEN TALENT: Juggles moderately well
TRUDO LEMMENS
CAND. JUR. & LIC. JUR. (K.U. LEUVEN),
LLM & DCL (McGILL)
ACADEMIC INTERESTS: Health Law and
Bioethics, Biotechnology & Human Rights,
Assisted Human Reproduction, Mental
Health Law
FAVOURITE NEIGHBOURHOOD: Kensington
Market to hang out, Cabbagetown to live
HIDDEN TALENT: Relatively fast cycling in
the city (daily) and on country-roads, cooking
50+ FULL-TIME FACULTY
11:1 STUDENT TO FACULTY RATIO
In addition to our homegrown
talent, we recruit our faculty
from peer institutions at
Harvard, Yale, Columbia,
Oxford, Melbourne and other
top global law schools.
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO FACULTY OF LAW
YASMIN DAWOOD JUTTA BRUNNÉE
BA (TORONTO), JD (COLUMBIA), DEF (DIJON), RJ & AJ (GERMANY), LLM
MA (CHICAGO), PHD (CHICAGO) (DALHOUSIE), DIR.IUR. (JOHANNES
GUTENBERG)
ACADEMIC INTERESTS: Canadian
Constitutional Law, Charter of Rights, ACADEMIC INTERESTS: Public International
Comparative Constitutional Law, Election Law, International Law on the Use of Force,
Law, Judicial Decision-Making, Legal International Environmental Law, Internation-
Theory, Political Philosophy and Theory al Climate Law, International Law Theory
FAVOURITE NEIGHBOURHOOD: Annex FAVOURITE NEIGHBOURHOOD: Leslieville
HOBBY: Growing orchids HIDDEN TALENT: Photography
GILLIAN HADFIELD
BAH (QUEEN'S); JD, MA & PHD (STANFORD)
ACADEMIC INTERESTS: Artificial
Intelligence Governance, Legal & Dispute
Resolution, Contract Law, Legal Process
& Theory, Economic Analysis of Law
FAVOURITE NEIGHBOURHOOD:
Cabbagetown
HOBBIES: Cooking (especially East Indian
cuisine), cocktails and canoe trips
BRENDA COSSMAN ANNA SU
BA (QUEEN’S), LLB (TORONTO), LLM BA (ATENEO DE MANILA), JD (ATENEO DE
(HARVARD), FELLOW OF THE ROYAL MANILA), LLM (HARVARD), SJD (HARVARD)
SOCIETY OF CANADA
ACADEMIC INTERESTS: History of Human
ACADEMIC INTERESTS: Family Law, Legal Rights, Law and Religion, Comparative
Regulation of Sexuality, Law and Film Constitutional Law, Political Theory, Technol-
ogy and the Law
FAVOURITE NEIGHBOURHOOD:
Wychwood Park FAVOURITE NEIGHBOURHOOD: Queen West
HIDDEN TALENT: Cooking like a Jewish HOBBIES: Playing guitar, crashing drones,
grandmother cooking
EXPERIENCE EXCELLENCE IN
TEACHING AND RESEARCH
The Faculty of Law’s acclaimed faculty will inspire your learning
throughout your degree. Our faculty members win major teaching and
research awards, publish in prominent scholarly journals, address global
policymakers and advise Canadian governments at all levels on the most
pressing issues facing society today. From a range of backgrounds, law
schools, countries and perspectives, our faculty provide you with insights
into cutting-edge legal, social, economic and political issues to keep you
at the top of your field.
JD ADMISSIONS GUIDE 9
With its world-class faculty, Ari is the Director of Student & Associate
downtown campus, stunning Programs at Aird & Berlis LLP. He is
responsible for all aspects of the firm’s stu-
new building and holistic ad- dent program, including the recruitment,
missions process, the Faculty supervision and professional development
of summer and articling students.
of Law continually attracts
a very talented and diverse Before joining Aird & Berlis LLP in 2009,
Ari was the Director of Student Programs
student body. Its students are at the Toronto office of a national law firm.
coveted by employers from Prior to that, he practiced corporate com-
mercial law at another major Bay Street
Bay Street and beyond. firm, and was in-house at IBM.
ARI BLICKER | BA (MCGILL) 1992 | LLB (TORONTO) 1995
DIRECTOR, AIRD & BERLIS LLP
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO FACULTY OF LAWCAREER DEVELOPMENT
TOP STUDENTS ATTRACT
TOP EMPLOYERS
We provide top-notch support to help you define and
launch your career, whether your aspirations are in
government, academia, social justice, private practice,
business or the arts. 2019-2020
Our Career Development Office (CDO) provides CDO SUPPORTS
extensive career planning and professional develop-
ment workshops, résumé and cover letter review,
interview preparation and access to postings
for summer, articling and post-graduation jobs.
215
Articling job
postings
TOP RECRUITERS FROM THE MAJOR
LEGAL MARKETS COME ON CAMPUS
TO HIRE OUR STUDENTS 221
Combined
VANCOUVER
first and
CALGARY second year
TORONTO summer
OTTAWA job postings
NEW YORK
38
Career
workshops,
information
sessions
and events
1098
Counselling
appointments
including
individual
consultations,
mock
interviews,
résumé and
cover letter
reviews
JD ADMISSIONS GUIDE 11RECENT GRAD TO WATCH U of T Law’s New York recruit allowed me to prove myself in the world’s most sophisticated legal market. During my interviews, it was clear that NY firms value the high calibre and well-roundedness of U of T students. My firm even celebrates Canada Day with Tim Hortons and poutine! JERRY LEE | BSC (MCGILL) 2015 | JD (TORONTO) 2018 | NAMED A NEXT GENERATION WOMEN LEADER BY MCKINSEY & COMPANY 2017 ASSOCIATE WHITE & CASE LLP (NEW YORK) | 1L SUMMER STUDENT, DAVIES WARD PHILLIPS & VINEBERG LLP (TORONTO) UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO FACULTY OF LAW
CAREER STATS
ARTICLING AND
EMPLOYMENT TOP 10
Our students’ unmatched success in the
job market tells our story best.
ARTICLING
PRACTICE
AREAS
2020 JD GRADUATES 1 Full-service law firms
2 Government &
Articling Positions
Public Interest Law
197 JD graduates
3 Litigation
180 Full-time articling, clerkship and
New York associate positions 4 Labour & Employment Law
7 Seeking articling positions 5 Intellectual Property Law
7 Non-practicing careers, graduate 6 Tax Law
studies or deferring articles 7 Family Law
3 Unreported 8 Criminal Defence
9 Immigration Law
Clerking positions at appellate 10 In-house positions
and trial courts in Canada
Supreme Court of Canada
Federal Courts
WHERE
Provincial Courts of Appeal
OUR
Provincial Superior Courts
STUDENTS
ARTICLE
2020 SUMMER JOBS FOR
79
Greater
STUDENTS IN EARLY YEARS
Toronto Area
Second Year Students First Year Students
Students completed Positions available at
9
217 2nd year 47 Toronto law firms for New York City
students across Canada
191
Secured summer jobs 2
(law-related and other) Positions at Toronto
19 Ottawa
law firms secured by
26 Unreported U of T Law students
6
Alberta &
British
WE INVEST IN YOU Columbia
Each year the law school hires or places
almost 90 students in paid summer jobs
and internships.
4
Elsewhere
Page statistics as of July 2020
JD ADMISSIONS GUIDE 13LEADING THE WAY U of T was the best place to launch my legal career. I learned from committed, thoughtful faculty, and was supported by excellent staff. The law school has also sup- ported me as an alumna. By giving me opportunities to teach, and promoting my Bencher candidacy, U of T Law has demonstrated a real commit- ment to my professional success. ATRISHA LEWIS | BCOMM (MCGILL) 2009 | JD (TORONTO) 2012 | RECIPIENT, DEAN'S KEY AWARD & GORDON CRESSY AWARD Atrisha Lewis is a senior associate in McCarthy Tétrault's Litigation Group in Toronto. In 2020, UofT Law awarded Atrisha the Wilson Prichard Award for Community and Professional Service. In 2019, she was elected Bencher of the Law Society of Ontario, and in 2018, she was recognized as a “Precedent Setter” by Precedent magazine. UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO FACULTY OF LAW
CONNECTING YOU TO LEADERS
U of T Law alumni are some of the top PEER MENTORSHIP
PROGRAM
lawyers and leaders in Canada and
At the start of your first
around the world. Our alumni network, year you'll be matched
more than 10,659 strong, is an incredible with an upper-year student
mentor who will provide
resource both during law school and the “inside scoop” about
after graduation. making your first year
a success, from academic
support to co-curricular
ALUMNI MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
and social activities.
Get matched with an experienced lawyer who is practicing in an area
of law that you are keen to learn about. Mentors provide invaluable
guidance on how to navigate the profession and create contacts that
will help your career development.
LAWYERS DOING COOL THINGS WITH THEIR LAW DEGREES
This is a popular series of lunch-time conversations with alumni about
their cool jobs (both inside and outside the profession), the important
issues they are tackling, and how their law degrees got them there.
Previous speakers have been leaders in entertainment law, tech start
ups, health rights, cannabis law, constitutional advocacy, and food
sustainability.
FROM STELLAR STUDENTS TO
SUCCESSFUL LAWYERS
LEADERSHIP SKILLS PROGRAM (LSP) 2020-2021 LSP WORKSHOPS
Succeeding in the legal profession requires outstanding academic COMMUNICATING IDEAS
skills and the ability to effectively communicate ideas, work with
diverse colleagues, and manage conflict—all in a highly complex and CONFLICT MANAGEMENT
sophisticated work environment. EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
NETWORKING AND
Our LSP provides opportunities for you to work with leadership
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
experts to develop the skills you need to transition from awesome
student to successful lawyer. TEAM WORK
ROTMAN@LAW
A partnership between U of T Law and the Rotman School of
Management, Rotman@Law allows you to take online pre-MBA
courses that cover the foundations of accounting, finance and
statistics. You will build your business fluency, knowledge and
skillset before you enter the profession.
JD ADMISSIONS GUIDE 15THIS IS U OF T LAW EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSIVITY AT U OF T LAW We strive to ensure that our community is welcoming, accessible and inclusive. Our vision is a legal profession that fully reflects the diversity of our society. UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO FACULTY OF LAW
JD ADMISSIONS GUIDE 17
ADMISSIONS
Admissions First-Year Admission Requirements
For full details on our JD admission policies, ACADEMIC RECORD & GPA
requirements and application procedures, visit By the end of May 2021, you will have successfully
law.utoronto.ca/admissions completed at least a three-year undergraduate
degree at a recognized institution.
SELECTION No particular courses are recommended. Almost
Our admissions process is designed to identify all of our students have completed a four-year
exceptional students who bring a broad and complex undergraduate university degree. Over the last
set of life experiences to the study of law. decade, all of the admitted Mature applicants had
some university education.
We consider all aspects of your application: academic,
intellectual and personal. Last year’s entering class had a 3.86 out of 4.0
median GPA on their best three years of full-time
The assessment is based two-thirds on the academic
undergraduate study.
record and LSAT, and one-third on personal infor-
mation. Our “whole person review” includes at least
three readers, including faculty, staff and students. LSAT: LAW SCHOOL ADMISSION TEST
We have no quotas of any kind. We seek outstanding For entry in August 2021, we accept scores from
candidates from a wide variety of institutions, who standard and Flex tests taken from June 2016 to
come from across Canada and the world, of a variety January 2021 inclusive. Last year’s entering class
of ages, with varied life experiences. This careful had a median LSAT score of 166 (93rd percentile).
process allows us to assemble a vibrant and inclusive
class where you will flourish. PERSONAL STATEMENT
This is your opportunity to introduce yourself
JD ADMISSION CATEGORIES to the selection committee, help it assess your
General – the majority of applicants. likelihood of success at the Faculty of Law and
predict what your contributions to the class will
Indigenous – Indigenous people, including those
be. Try to demonstrate how your academics,
of Indian (status and non-status), Métis and
experience (work and personal) and career goals
Inuit heritage, whose representation in the legal
make you an excellent fit for the program.
profession we strive to increase.
Mature – those who will have at least five complete OPTIONAL ADDITIONAL ESSAY
years of non-academic experience (outside of
full-time study) by September 2021. You may provide further personal information
from a choice of topics we suggest, such as a
meaningful intellectual experience, a vision of
BLACK STUDENT APPLICATION PROCESS (BSAP)
your future goals, obstacles to achievement,
Regardless of admission category, Black candidates or how your identity, background and experiences
can opt to apply to this stream, which aims to increase will contribute to the diversity of the law school.
Black law student representation at U of T Law.
BSAP applicants will have their personal statements BSAP ESSAY
reviewed by members of the Black community, Black Student Application Process candidates must
including our staff, students, faculty and alumni. submit the standard admission materials plus an
You must meet the same LSAT and academic essay highlighting why they chose the BSAP stream.
requirements for admission that we seek from all
candidates. BSAP does not have a designated quota RÉSUMÉS
for admission. Required for Mature applicants only.
To be considered for BSAP, apply to a JD program
by our standard deadlines and procedures, and also INTERVIEWS, REFERENCES, GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, IELTS
select the BSAP option in the School Submissions
These are neither required nor requested.
section of the application form.
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO FACULTY OF LAWMARK YOUR CALENDAR
AUGUST 20, 2020
JD Applications open online for
entry in 2021
AUGUST 29, 2020
LSAT test date
SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER 2020
U of T Law application
information sessions
law.utoronto.ca/admissionevents
SEPTEMBER ONWARD
U of T Law campus tours
law.utoronto.ca/campustour
How to Apply
OCTOBER 3, 2020 www.ouac.on.ca/olsas
LSAT test date
Obtain, submit and pay for the application online
NOVEMBER 1, 2020 with the Ontario Law School Application Service
JD Year 1 application deadline (OLSAS), operated by the Ontario Universities’
Application Centre (OUAC).
NOVEMBER 7, 2020
LSAT test date Submit all required documents directly to OLSAS,
as per the instructions on its website.
DECEMBER 2020 - MARCH 2021 For JD combined degree programs, apply to each
JD Year 1 offers of admission made. program separately according to its own admission
Most offers are issued by February. requirements and application procedures.
JANUARY 16, 2021
LSAT test date (last acceptable Timing of Admission
test for 2021 JD Year 1 admission) Decisions, Key Dates
FEBRUARY 19, 2021* Your file is considered complete when all required
Welcome Day for students documents have been submitted to OLSAS, and
offered admission are then forwarded to us by OLSAS for assessment.
APRIL 1, 2021 For first year applicants, the earliest that we usually
Deadline for acceptance of JD Year 1 review any files, whether complete or incomplete,
early offers of admission will be within a week after the close of the November 1
application deadline.
JUNE 1, 2021
UofT Law JD Financial Aid As much as possible, we try to review completed
application deadline files quickly. For first year applicants, we expect
to make three main rounds of offers of admission.
AUGUST 23, 2021* The first round occurs in early December, the
Start of JD Year 1 classes second round in late January, and the final round
in mid-March. Most offers are issued by February.
* Tentative dateOUR 2020 FIRST YEAR
(1L) CLASS
212 STUDENTS 2204
54 WOMEN APPLICANTS
4 MATURE STUDENTS
(FIVE OR MORE YEARS OF NON-ACADEMIC WORK EXPERIENCE)
20-39 AGE
42 STUDENTS OF COLOUR RANGE OF
STUDENTS
11 LGBTQ+ STUDENTS 24 AVERAGE
AGE OF
STUDENTS
9 STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AGE ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2020
79 FIRST IN FAMILY TO
ATTEND LAW SCHOOL 60 PARENT(S)/GUARDIAN(S) BORN
OUTSIDE CANADA
8 FIRST IN FAMILY TO ATTEND
UNIVERSITY OR COLLEGE 7 GREW UP IN A
RURAL AREA
28 BORN OUTSIDE
OF CANADA 42 IDENTIFY WITH
A RELIGION
43 3.86 166
UNDERGRADUATE MEDIAN GPA OUT OF 4.0 ON MEDIAN LSAT
INSTITUTIONS THE BEST THREE FULL-TIME SCORE, 93 RD
REPRESENTED UNDERGRADUATE YEARS PERCENTILE
Class profile on August 26th, 2020
21
TOP 3
Students 1. ECONOMICS (MA)
COMBINED
with graduate PROGRAMS
2. PUBLIC POLICY (MPP)
3. BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (MBA)
educationFRIENDS DESCRIBE ME AS STRENGTHS I'LL BRING TO LAW SCHOOL
1 DEPENDABLE 1 HARDWORKING
INDEPENDENT
2 2 ADAPTABLE
ADVENTUROUS
3 3 COMMITTED
HELPFUL
4 4 TIE: RESILIENT, SOCIABLE
TOP 5 REASONS FOR CHOOSING UofT LAW
High academic Calibre of Career Variety of Student support
quality & location students & faculty opportunities courses & clinics & financial aid
FOOD DELIVERY PRIOR UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS
SERVICE PREFERENCE 21% ENGINEERING/MATH/SCIENCE
45 UberEATS 18%
18%
BUSINESS/ECONOMICS
POLITICAL SCIENCE/INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
12 DoorDash 16% CLASSICS/HISTORY/PHILOSOPHY/RELIGION
6 OTHER
11%
CRIMINOLOGY/GENDER STUDIES/
PSYCHOLOGY/SOCIAL SCIENCES
25 NO PREFERENCE 8%
6%
INTERDISCIPLINARY/OTHER
ENGLISH/LINGUISTICS/COMMUNICATIONS
12 NEVER USED 2% VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS
76 GRADUATED FROM
ONTARIO UNIVERSITIES
24 GRADUATED FROM UNIVERSITIES IN THE
REST OF CANADA AND INTERNATIONALLY
SAMPLE
17 ARE BILINGUAL IN ENGLISH AND FRENCH
PRE-LAW TOP 10 LEGAL AREAS OF
SCHOOL INTEREST ON ENTRY
EXPERIENCES
BUSINESS/COMMERCIAL
CAFE & MUSIC VENUE OWNER
CONSTITUTIONAL
DENTIST
EXHIBITION CURATOR
CRIMINAL
GOAT FARMER ENVIRONMENTAL
PROCESS ENGINEER HEALTH
PROFESSIONAL POKER PLAYER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY & INNOVATION
PROFESSIONAL TENNIS PLAYER INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS
PUBLIC AFFAIRS ANALYST LAW & ECONOMICS
RENOVATION & REPAIRMAN LITIGATION/DISPUTE SETTLEMENT
URBAN PLANNER SOCIAL JUSTICE
JD ADMISSIONS GUIDE 21STUDENT LIFE
JOIN A STUDENT BODY
THAT RANKS AMONG
THE STRONGEST
IN NORTH AMERICA
At U of T Law, Aaqib and Saqib have
found a strong support network. Both
brothers have contributed in many
ways to the law school community:
AAQIB (pictured, on left)
South Asian Law Students'
Association (Co-President)
United Nations (Summer intern)
Human Rights Watch (Summer intern)
Orientation Week 2018 (Co-Chair)
SAQIB (pictured, on right)
Muslim Law Students' Association
(President)
Students’ Law Society (1L rep)
United Nations (Intern)
Sierra Leone Ministry of Justice
(Summer intern)
South African Society for Labour
Law (Summer intern)
Our U of T Law experience has been
transformative. We have learned
a tremendous amount about the
law, the world around us, and about
ourselves from interacting with
our incredible professors, who are
some of the brightest legal minds in
the country, and from our vibrant
colleagues who enrich our everyday
experiences at the law school.
AAQIB & SAQIB MAHMOOD, 4L JD/MBA |
BAH (YORK) 2016 | MA (YORK) 2017
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO FACULTY OF LAWJOIN IN, EVERYONE IS WELCOME
What truly engages you? Culture, recreation, politics,
media, performance, social issues, professional
development or academic debates? Explore your
passion and discover new interests by getting involved
in the huge range of student clubs and activities that
reflect the diversity and strength of our student body.
55+ STUDENT ASSOCIATIONS
Our student clubs and student government host
prominent speakers, put on plays, tackle social issues,
and hold events that connect with the community.
Aboriginal Law Society Food Law and Policy Society Peer Mentorship Program
AI and Law Club Forensic Science Group Privacy & Cybersecurity Law Group
Alternative Dispute Resolution Society Health and Wellness Student Runnymede Society
Artists‘ Legal Advice Services Advisory Committee South Asian Law Students’ Association
Asia Law Society Health Law Club SPINLAW
Athletics Association In Vino Veritas - Wine Tasting Club Sports and Entertainment Law Society
Black Law Students’ Association Indigenous Law Journal Students’ Law Society
Business Law Society Indigenous Law Students’ Association Supreme Chords (a capella group)
Canadian Assoc. of Refugee Lawyers International Law Society Tax Law Society
Cannabis Law Club JD/MBA Students’ Association Technology and Intellectual
Career Development Student Jewish Law Students’ Association Property Society
Advisory Committee Journal of Law & Equality Ultra Vires Student Newspaper
Charity Law Interest Group Labour & Employment Law Society U of T Animal Justice
China Law Project Law and Politics Club U of T Faculty of Law Conservatives
Christian Legal Fellowship Law Ball U of T Faculty of Law Liberals
Correctional Law Society Law Follies U of T Faculty of Law Review
Criminal Law Students’ Association Law Games U of T Faculty of Law Union
Environmental Law Club Litigation Association U of T Law and Social Justice Society
Feminist Law Students’ Association Muslim Law Students’ Association Venture Capital Law Society
First Generation Network Out in Law Women and the Law
JD ADMISSIONS GUIDE 231L
Our first year (1L) program WELLNESS &
encourages you to develop close ACADEMIC SUPPORT
Let’s be honest—law school is
connections with your peers and amazing but it also can be chal-
professors. In addition to six lenging at times.
substantive law courses, you take Like other professional programs,
two courses that prepare you law school is a rigorous academic
and co-curricular program that
to study law: Legal Methods and demands a lot from students.
Legal Research and Writing. That’s why we offer a broad range
of student supports to make sure
that you get the most out of your
law school experience.
Through tutoring programs, peer
and alumni mentoring programs,
resilience coaching and in-house
mental health counselling, we
support you to thrive in law school
and your future career.
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO FACULTY OF LAWLEGAL METHODS INTENSIVE
One of the central goals of our JD Program is to train you to “think
like a lawyer.” The first year begins with a legal methods intensive
course delivered during the last two weeks in August. The course
introduces you to the foundational information and reasoning needed
to make the most of the JD program from the minute you set foot in
your first substantive class in September.
LEGAL RESEARCH AND WRITING
The work product of lawyers consists of words. These words must
be carefully selected based on deep understanding and research.
In this course, legal research and writing experts guide you through
a series of carefully designed research and writing assignments to 1L CORE COURSES
equip you to produce well-crafted legal text.
LEGAL METHODS
SUBSTANTIVE LAW COURSES LEGAL RESEARCH AND WRITING
Every student takes one of the principal first year courses in a year- CONSTITUTIONAL LAW
long small group of 16 students. The remaining five substantive CONTRACT LAW
law classes are taught in larger groups over a single term (two in first CRIMINAL LAW
term and three in second term). LEGAL PROCESS
Collectively, our first year provides you with a deep and rigorous PROPERTY LAW
legal foundation rooted in diverse academic views about law and legal TORT LAW
methodology.
JD ADMISSIONS GUIDE 25ACADEMIC PROGRAMS – UPPER YEAR
YOUR UPPER YEARS:
CHART YOUR PATH
Building on the foundation of your 1L year,
in the upper years you have the freedom to
shape your studies to suit your interests
and professional goals. Choose from over
180 courses that span the spectrum of legal
practice and scholarship.
FOCUS IN ONE
OR SEVERAL AREAS,
INCLUDING:
Aboriginal Law Environmental Law and Law and Development
Academic Research Natural Resources Legal Ethics and
and Writing Family Law and Children Professionalism
Administrative and Health Law Legal Theory/ Interdisciplinary
Regulatory Law Intellectual Property and Legal Studies
Business Law Innovation Law Private Law
Civil Litigation and Dispute International, Comparative Social Justice
Resolution and Transnational Law and Equality
Constitutional Law Judges and Courts Taxation Law
Criminal Law and Procedure Labour Law
Augment your JD studies with courses offered by other
academic units at U of T. Complete a collaborative program JANUARY
or earn an additional certificate or a graduate degree.
INTERSESSION
CERTIFICATES COMBINED DEGREE U of T Law attracts
PROGRAMS
Aboriginal Legal leading visiting
Studies JD/Master of Business Administration academics from the
Environmental
Studies
JD/Master of Global Affairs world’s top law schools.
JD/Master of Information
Sexual Diversity &
Gender Studies JD/Master of Public Policy Held in early January,
JD/Master of Social Work the intersession offers
COLLABORATIVE JD/MA in Criminology intensive, week-long
PROGRAM JD/MA in Economics courses taught by visit-
JD/MA in English ing professors offering
Jewish Studies
JD/MA in European & Russian Affairs diverse perspectives
JD/PhD in Criminology on a huge range of legal
JD/PhD in Economics topics.
JD/PhD in Philosophy
JD/PhD in Political Science
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO FACULTY OF LAWACADEMIC PROGRAMS - UPPER YEAR
INDIGENOUS
INITIATIVES OFFICE
In accordance with the Truth
and Reconciliation Commission’s
Calls to Action, Indigenous and
non-Indigenous students engage
with Indigenous Elders, scholars,
activists and professionals in
classes and activities at the
faculty, in the courts and in the
community.
You can compete in the
Kawaskimhon Moot, work on
the student-run Indigenous Law
Journal, and have opportunities
to learn about Indigenous and
Aboriginal law inside and outside
the classroom.
You can also gain practical ex-
perience by participating in our
clinical program with Aboriginal
Legal Services, and deepen your
academic experience with the
Certificate in Aboriginal Legal
Studies.
During my 1L year, I was co-
president of the Indigenous Law
Students’ Association (ILSA).
Not only are the other Indigenous
students a great support system,
but the ILSA office itself is a great
space to study, bead, smudge and
hold meetings. It’s even right
next door to Amanda Carling,
Manager of Indigenous Initia-
tives - another incredible support
within the Faculty!
KARLIE NORDSTROM 2L | BCOMM (SASKATCHEWAN) 2019
2L SUMMER STUDENT, AIRD & BERLIS LLP (TORONTO)
JD ADMISSIONS GUIDE 27CO-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES
SUPERB CLINICAL
EDUCATION,
EXCLUSIVE TO U OF T
LAW STUDENTS
CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS
CRIMINAL LAW
EMPLOYMENT LAW
FAMILY LAW
IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE LAW
EXPERIENTIAL INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS
LEARNING INVESTOR PROTECTION RIGHTS
TENANT HOUSING RIGHTS
Making the connection between UNIVERSITY AFFAIRS
the classroom and real-life
lawyering will prepare you
for practice in whatever area
you choose.
At U of T Law the range of experiential opportu- through advocacy, knowledge-exchange, and capacity
nities is impressive. You can take a course in trial -building initiatives. Students acquire the skills,
advocacy, compete in an intellectual property moot, knowledge and professional network to become
immerse yourself in an international human rights effective human rights advocates.
clinic, do an externship with the municipal govern-
ment, or volunteer at ProBono Students Canada. DOWNTOWN LEGAL SERVICES (DLS)
The possibilities are endless. DLS is the law school’s community legal clinic.
Students assist clients who are experiencing legal
IN-HOUSE CLINICS problems in a number of high priority areas of
Exclusive to our law students, U of T Law houses law including criminal, employment, family,
several legal clinics that offer academic credit in housing, refugee and immigration and university
part-time, half-time and intensive, full-time formats. affairs. In their work at DLS, students critically
Students can also volunteer. Our clinics are led by examine the intersections of law and social
full-time directors who are highly-regarded experts inequality while developing the professionalism
in their fields. and ethical literacy that is essential to practicing law.
THE DAVID ASPER CENTRE FOR INVESTOR PROTECTION CLINIC (IPC)
CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS New in 2020, the U of T IPC provides free legal
The Asper Centre focuses on advocacy, research and services and public legal education to members of
education about Canadian constitutional rights. vulnerable communities who are at risk of suffering
Students work on leading constitutional and Charter harm, or may have suffered harm, relating to their
rights cases at the highest courts in Canada and investments. Law students assist clients with legal
learn how to advocate for Charter-based law reform. claims, develop and deliver public legal education,
and collaborate with regulators and key stakehold-
THE INTERNATIONAL ers on policy projects and litigation.
HUMAN RIGHTS PROGRAM (IHRP)
The IHRP enhances the legal protection of existing
and emerging international human rights obligations
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO FACULTY OF LAWCO-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES
The IHRP’s Digital Verification
Working Group (DVWG) is at
the cutting edge of contempo-
rary human rights investigation
work. Due to the proliferation of
smart phones and open media
platforms, evidence of war
crimes and other human rights
abuses are increasingly first
reported on social media.
Student volunteers assist
researchers from Amnesty
International to investigate and
authenticate content including
photographs and video.
U of T Law is a founding member
of this project alongside the
University of California Berke-
ley's Human Rights Centre, the
University of Cambridge’s
Centre of Governance & Human
Rights, Pretoria University’s
Human Rights Centre in South
Africa, and the University of
Essex’s Human Rights Centre.
RESEARCH PRESENTATION AT THE
2019 ANNUAL DIGITAL VERIFICATION
CORPS SUMMIT, HONG KONG, FROM
LEFT TO RIGHT: AMITPAL SINGH 3L,
GEORGE GHABRIAL 3L JD/MBA
JD ADMISSIONS GUIDE 29CO-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES
GO GLOBAL: STUDY,
RESEARCH, WORK
Spend a semester at top law schools
on academic exchange in some of the
world’s best cities.
AUCKLAND AMSTERDAM
SYDNEY BRUSSELS
BEIJING LYON
HONG KONG PARIS
SINGAPORE VIENNA
MAKING AN IMPACT TEL AVIV BUDAPEST
DUBLIN OSLO
COMMUNITY EXTERNSHIPS GLASGOW UPPSALA
In addition to our in-house clinics, you can participate in LONDON
clinical placements for academic credit at community
clinics and organizations. U of T Law offers placements
with 16 externship partners.
EXTERNSHIP CLINICS AND ORGANIZATIONS
Aboriginal Legal Services clinic
Advancing the Right to Housing externship
Advocates for Injured Workers clinic
Appellate Criminal Litigation externship
Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic
Board Governance externship
Citizen Lab externship
City of Toronto externship
Environmental Law externship
Health Justice Initiative clinic at St. Michael’s Hospital
Innocence Canada externship
Innovation and Entrepreneurship externship
Mergers and Acquisitions Litigation externship
Ontario Human Rights Commission externship
Pro Bono Ontario litigation externship
Structural Genomics Consortium externship
SUMMER INTERNSHIPS
U of T Law offers dozens of paid
PRO BONO STUDENTS CANADA (PBSC)
summer internships with public
Founded by U of T Law in 1996, PBSC is the largest pro bono organiza- interest and community organi-
tion in Canada with chapters in 22 law schools. PBSC’s volunteer stu- zations. For example, students
dents and supervising lawyers partner with community organizations can spend the summer with the
to provide free legal support to people facing barriers to justice. This United Nations in Geneva, a grass-
includes legal research, creating public legal education resources, and roots human rights organization
supporting clients and self-represented litigants through specialized in Kenya, an Indigenous Band
clinics, in multiple areas of law. U of T Law students have the unique Council in Northern Ontario, a
opportunity to participate in two of PBSC’s award winning initiatives, Toronto-based community
the Family Law Project and Indigenous Human Rights Program. advocacy organization, or a
Chinese law firm in Shanghai.
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO FACULTY OF LAWCO-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES
The Donner Fellowship gave me
an opportunity to advocate for
the health of local ecosystems.
I engaged directly with legislation
and policies pertaining to ravine
health in Toronto, and used
this information to assist local
environmental stakeholders
understand their legal rights and
obligations when engaging in
environmental stewardship. I am
very thankful for this opportunity
to pursue environmental law as
a 1L student.
HALEIGH RYAN 1L JD/MBA | HBA (TORONTO) 2019 |
DONNER CIVIC LEADERSHIP FELLOW WITH TORONTO RAVINE
REVITALIZATION SCIENCE
JD ADMISSIONS GUIDE 31FINANCIAL AID
ALL FIGURES LISTED ARE IN
CANADIAN CURRENCY, ROUNDED
TO THE NEAREST $100
FEES & ESTIMATED EXPENSES
When assessing financial aid applications,
the same budget is applied to all eligible
domestic students.
2020-2021 tuition fee: $33,040
Books and supplies: $1,100
Incidental and ancillary fees: $1,600
Room and board (if not at home): $11,000
Personal expenses: $2,200
FINANCIAL SUPPORT THAT
MAKES EVERYTHING POSSIBLE
NO GUESSING
Choosing to go to law school is a significant and rewarding investment
in your life. If you are offered admission, tuition should not be a barrier
GET AN
to your education or your career. The Faculty of Law’s approach to INSTANT AID
financial aid is different than most law schools. With less than a handful ESTIMATE
of merit scholarships available, we apply an equitable and transparent
approach to giving aid, where the students with the greatest financial We make it easy
need receive the most assistance. for you to know the
amount of financial
aid you may receive.
POST-GRADUATION DEBT
Use our exclusive
REPAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
online calculator for
The rumours are true: most law students in North America graduate an aid package esti-
with some debt. They also go on to fulfilling positions in a range mate tailored to your
of fields. Many of our students choose to dedicate themselves to legal
financial means at
aid clinics or specialty law firms that offer relatively lower-paying
salaries. To support their career choices, we assist these students with law.utoronto.ca/
the repayment of their eligible law school debt for up to ten years after financial-aid-calculator
graduation. Ours is the only program of its kind in Canada.
PLANS THAT WORK
Jimmy left the home in
Saskatchewan that he shared Jimmy’s Yolande came from a two-parent
home in Ontario, and has one Yolande’s
with his single parent who has
an annual income of $28,100.
effective younger sister who is in high school.
With an annual parental income of
effective
Jimmy received a U of T Law
bursary of $20,350; a tuition tax
first-year $127,300 Yolande received a U of T
Law bursary of $8,930; a tuition tax
first-year
credit of $6,600 and government tuition was credit of $6,600 and government tuition was
student aid grants of $4,330. student aid grants of $3,030.
Altogether this non-repayable $1,760 Altogether this non-repayable aid $15,260
aid provided $31,280 which is provided $18,560 which is approxi-
approximately 95% of his tuition. mately 56% of her tuition.
NOTE: THESE ARE SAMPLE PLANS FOR 2019-2020 ONLY. YOUR U OF T LAW FINANCIAL AID PACKAGE WILL
BE ASSESSED BASED ON THE INFORMATION YOU PROVIDE IN YOUR U OF T LAW FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION.
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO FACULTY OF LAWFINANCIAL AID
As the first in my family to attend university
with the support of my hard-working single
mother, I initially thought I would have to
sacrifice U of T’s top-notch legal education
for a less expensive program. The financial
aid program gave over 35% of my tuition in
bursaries, and the interest-free loans will
cover my remaining tuition and bar admis-
sion fees . I expect to fast-track my way to
getting called to the bar in January 2021 and
be debt free sooner than expected. Without
the law school’s financial aid I would not
have been able to spend my 1L summer on a
human rights internship in Sierra Leone, or
spend a term of my final year in Australia as
an exchange student.
HIAM KOGIASHVILI-AMAR 3L | BAH (YORK) 2011, JD (TORONTO)
2020 | RECIPIENT, DEAN’S LEADERSHIP AWARD, ARTICLING
STUDENT
FINANCIAL AID STATS
2019-2020
$4.6 million $22,413
AWARDED BURSARIES MAXIMUM BURSARY
AWARDED
$13,214 345
AVERAGE FIRST-YEAR
BURSARY # OF STUDENTS
WHO APPLIED FOR
$12,453 FINANCIAL AID
AVERAGE BURSARY
(OVER ALL THREE YEARS) 83
% OF FINANCIAL
AID APPLICANTS WHO
RECEIVED AID
JD ADMISSIONS GUIDE 33ACCESS TO LEGAL EDUCATION GET A HEAD START We are proud to offer several programs and resources that aim to increase access to legal education. UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO FACULTY OF LAW
ACCESS TO LEGAL EDUCATION
BECOMING A LAWYER IN ONTARIO
law.utoronto.ca/getstarted
This resource is your starting point if you're thinking about
becoming a lawyer. Prepared by U of T Law, it provides
a comprehensive overview of the path from high school to
becoming licensed to practice law.
BLACK FUTURE LAWYERS
bfl.law.utoronto.ca
Black Future Lawyers (BFL) is a collaboration between U of T Law,
our Black Law Students' Association, members of our Black alumni
community, and the broader legal profession. Funded by U of T’s
Provost’s office and U of T Law, BFL offers supports and engagement
opportunities to Black undergraduate students who aspire to go to
law school and become lawyers. BFL’s goal is to increase the number
of Black students who attend law school and join the legal profession.
LAW SCHOOL ACCESS PROGRAM (LSAP)
law.utoronto.ca/lsap
A free LSAT preparation course for high-potential, low-income
undergraduate students who are in 3rd or 4th year or are
recent university graduates.
LAWS: LAW IN ACTION WITHIN SCHOOLS
lawinaction.ca
Founded by U of T Law in 2005, LAWS is Canada’s leading law school
youth access program. As an award-winning model of collaboration that
has transformative impact on high school students facing personal or
systemic barriers, LAWS activities increase legal knowledge, encourage
academic engagement and promote diversity and inclusion in the legal
profession. LAWS works with over 1,200 youth and relies on the support
of over 400 justice sector volunteers annually.
SEE YOURSELF HERE
law.utoronto.ca/syh
Each year, over 200 high school students visit the law school for one day
of fun and educational programing. Students in grades 10 and 11 spend
the day learning from law students, lawyers and professors. Originally
started by the Black Law Students' Association, the event is designed
specifically for students who identify with communities that have been
historically underrepresented in the legal profession.
YOUTH SUMMER PROGRAM
ysp.utoronto.ca
In partnership with the Faculty of Medicine, every summer the Faculty
of Law offers a unique summer camp opportunity for high school
students who are keen about the law.
JD ADMISSIONS GUIDE 35LAW.UTORONTO.CA
VISIT US!
Visiting us is the best way to experience our law
school community. Book your student-led tour today
at law.utoronto.ca/campustour.
Can’t make it to the law school? Check out our
admissions events page to see when we will be visiting
a location near you at law.utoronto.ca/admissionevents.
PRODUCED BY THE JD ADMISSIONS OFFICE
DESIGN: KATINA CONSTANTINOU, SUGAR DESIGN
PHOTOS: JASON GORDON, MICHELLE YEE, JACKLYN ATLAS,
JEROME POON-TING, ALEX WONG, JESSE JOHNSTON,
KRISTA BONIFACE, MICHAEL XIAN SARA-MARNI HUBBARD,
MUNA KHALIL, VIEL TOLENTINO
in
JD ADMISSIONS OFFICE T 416 978 3716
FACULTY OF LAW, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO ADMISSIONS.LAW@UTORONTO.CA
78 QUEEN’S PARK
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA M5S 2C5You can also read
